Self-care and patient education

Self-care is a vital part of the comprehensive management of heart failure. Self-care includes behaviours of patients and caregivers that aim to maintain stability, monitor changes in signs and symptoms, and respond to changes. Optimal self-care improves patient outcomes and can prevent deterioration and exacerbation. With a greater emphasis on self-care, the ability to participate in daily life requires knowledge as well as interpretation, skills, and action. All health-care providers have a responsibility to educate and support patients with heart failure and their caregivers. This chapter will explore a number of approaches to educating patients and caregivers, as well as the special considerations associated with health literacy. We also present a range of tools and resources that can be used in patient education. Furthermore, we describe the importance of including family members or other informal caregivers.